Questions remain for Broncs despite Nines showing

Are you dumb? No Copley? You're dreaming. Broncos suck. Ben Barba is a Fairy! Lolololololololol

How about Todd Lowrie....... I think the best buy the Broncos have got this year........ Value for money he will be......

Yow yeh? Are you serious? He's a long way off mate. Copley will get a start for sure..

1.Barba 2.YowYeh/Vidot/Copley 3.Reed 4.Hodges 5.Hoffman 6.nikorima (at least for the first month maybe) 7.Hunt 8.Hannant 9.McCullough 10.McGuire 11.Glenn 12.Thaiday 13.Parker 14.Gillett 15.Oates 16.Kennedy 17.Hala I think Brisbane will need a two prop bench this year, and when you have a guy like Gillett, who in my opinion could easily start ahead of Glenn, you don't really need a utility player. Oates can also cover most positions from BR, C, W, H. the only problem is as to whether or not Gillett will be able to cover for a half or if barba is moved up and Hoffman to FB.

Apparently he's an outside chance (out out outside) for round 1 bit it's expected to be round 4.

I thought Don made some very good points. Good maybe because I agree with him. I would play Alex Glen int the centres - it's only a name change really with the way the game is structured now. A few seasons back he was a try-scoring machine in the centres. Jake Granville's reminds me so much of Kerrod Walters . When the Broncs were very strong they had Kerrod - Alfie - Kevie & Locky at fullback I see Granville - Ben Hunt or Kodi at 1/2 back & McCullock at 5/8 - Barba at fullback where he can chime in as all good fullbacks of the modern era particularly must do. I've Read they say McCullock is too slow to be a 5/8. Aren't hookers the quickest players on the field these days. McCullock was a 5?8 - he has a kicking game - He is a great defender - He's tough - He takes the ball to the line - He needs to develop a dummy ( only joking but didn't Jonathon THurston dummy himself out in his early days) - He was tipped years ago by Darren Lockyer to be a team captain one day so he must have leadership & organisational qualities. He is now an experienced NRL'er at a young age. I reckon Don was right with the big ball runner with hands (Glen Lazzerus) Cory Parker is an excellent player who takes on the line , turns & pops but we need another Lazzo. Although stating the obvious - so much depends on Ben Hunt or Kodi Nikorima to give the Broncos flare this year - the forwards will hold their own. They should - most are Origin or International players. The player I would most like to see return to the BB Broncos to give them back their BB - Bounce - is BB Berrick Barnes to saddle up with BB Ben Barber Anyway - enough for now. Robbo

I wouldnt be reading any 9's form into the season. 9 min Halves etc for me mean while it was exellent there is no resemblance to the real game.

In all honesty, I can see the Broncos returning to the force that they once were, it's the standard that was set when Wayne Bennett was at the club. Barba is obviously a massive signing but he won't carry all of the Broncos on his back. The other players must share the load as well, including their other new imports (namely Stewart Mills, Daniel Vidot and Martin Kennedy) and whoever are the new halves pairing next year. All the heat will be on Anthony Griffin next year and if the Broncos don't deliver on the field after the off-season they had in luring Ben Barba back home, then don't expect him (Griffin) to be here this time next year.

Well sydney and souths are losing their top players and storm/manly are ageing quickly. Probably not the best example of teams there. I think the up and comers are going to explode this season or next. NZ, Dogs, possibly Penrith and brisnane with an outside chance to come good this year or next. Maybe raiders in another 2-3 years if sticky does a good job(doubtful).

Another thing to consider is how the rule changes might affect play in 2014 (for all teams). I suspect we will see a faster game this year, with less time in the wrestle / 3-man-tango. Also the return of the quick tap and preventing the captain's dealing tactics all suggests to me that the ball will be in play for longer. So how might this affect the Broncos and their playing roster? I suspect that there is more upside for the Broncs than down. They lack really big boppers (like the Dogs for example) but they have mobile back rowers and a new fitness guru concentrating on stamina. So they could benefit from the rule tweaks. Hunt has more attacking flair in his left buttock than Wallace, plus the Broncs have a bit more pace to finish things off this year than last (although that's not setting the bar very high). Barba, Hoffman or Nikorima have more pace than old Princey so any of them could pair with Hunt as the ball player. Last year I thought the Broncos defended OK but their inability to score led to frustration and leaking of points later in the game. If the backs can finish off the forwards field position then they might remain enthusiastic and win a few more this year. Top 8 but not top 4. I don't think the Hoffman / Baba thing is such a big deal. You can swap them in defence (Hoffman at 5/8, barba fullback) and vice versa for attack.

You left Hoffman out of this side.

Does anyone have any idea when Justin Hodges will be returning.

Well that's part of this year's problem. Milford should be going straight into the #6 - we thought that was going to happen for this year; so I think unless he has an absolutely stand out season, whoever plays 6 this year is really only keeping the spot warm for Milford

I don't think JYY will be a top-flight winger again - he will never regain the pace he once had. He'll be better off with a move into the centres or even the back-row if he bulks up

I am hoping they don't play Corey Oates in the backs at all and he gets his run in the back row where he plays best. A fast, tall guy is exactly what the pack needs. He is a very good young second rower. I would have Alex Glenn in the centres until Hodges returns. He has done a really good job there over the years. Jharal has lost heaps of pace (understandably) and he needs some months in the Q Cup playing weekly footy before he is considered a firsts winger. Dale Copely will be there. That said, I still can't see the Broncs doing better than sneaking into the 8 and definitely don't see them as top 4. They need a Centre, a 5/8 / Half, a running Backrower and a tough Prop with some hands. They have a good Hooker - just not the one they choose for first grade though. Jake Granville is a far better Hooker than McCulloch. Still some recruiting to go for them yet before they win another comp.

Fullback is Barba's best position and Wing is Hoffman's. It is a no brainer. I saw enough of Kodi in the nines to think he warrants at least a crack at 6 or 7. I think maybe 7, with Ben Hunt in 6 but playing a locky style of game where you really do most of the leading. Yow yeh will play second row I should think, although we are a little spoiled for choice in this area. I would probably pick Yow yeh over stagg off the bench. Also I thyink Stagg might be injured. 1. Barba 2. Oates 3. Reed 4. Hodges 5. Vidot/Kahu 6. Hunt 7. Kodi 8. Kennedy 9. McCullough 10. Hannant 11. Glenn 12. Sammy 13. Parker 14. Gillet 15. Yow Yeh 16. McGuire 17. Hala/Jarrod Wallace I think this team gives them a bit of everything. I don't think that McCullough needs a back up anymore - he was far and away the best hooker at the nines and I think he is top 5 9's in the NRL. Just my thoughts.

I can see by the way he was looking in the Nines' that he's going to play like he did in 2013. That ankle is going to prove a big problem in the NRL again too.

Not being able to get around Freddy Fittler, with plenty of room on the outside,was pretty telling that the guy has lost his pace. Putting him at 6 is certainly not the answer either. Fullback is his best position but he has to be given time to get over his niggles.

"I can feel a Top 4 berth coming this year and a premiership just around the corner." Is this a joke? Do you seriously think the Broncos can top the likes of the Roosters, Manly, Storm and Rabbitohs.

Unless Jow Yeh returns to his pre-injury form, Corey Oates is the obvious choice.